Hip-Hop D.J.'s Arrest Casts Light on Rivalry

By LYNETTE HOLLOWAY

Published: September 25, 2002

Correction Appended

For the last six months, two hip-hop radio stations in New York City have given new meaning to the phrase ''ratings wars.''

On-air verbal sparring and insult-trading have all been part of the battle between Clear Channel Communications's Power 105 (105.1 FM) and the station it began challenging in March, Emmis Communications' Hot 97 (97.1 FM.)

But now it may be turning physical.

Aston Taylor, known as Funkmaster Flex, a popular D.J. at Hot 97, turned himself in on Sunday to face a third-degree assault charge after a rival D.J. on Power 105 accused him of choking and punching her in the face last Thursday, the police said.

Power 105 is using the moment to try to seize a hill. The airwaves crackled with news of the incident, as the morning drive team, Ed Lover, Doctor Dre and Lisa G., discussed the issue. ''A man should never hit a woman,'' Ed Lover exclaimed repeatedly, with the rest of the team chiming in in agreement.

The incident escalated the rivalry between the two stations. Hip-hop radio has become a hot market in urban areas across the country in recent years as advertisers have sought to reach a younger audience. Power 105's ratings have soared since it changed formats from classic rhythm and blues oldies to hip-hop.

Ms. Saunders, whose radio name is Big Steph Lova -- she is six-feet tall -- used to work at Hot 97 until June 2001, said Getty Gizaw, a spokeswoman for Ms. Saunders. Ms. Saunders began working weekends for Power 105 in May.

The breach between Ms. Saunders and Mr. Taylor began in June. The rapper Nas became angry after the Hot 97 station management refused to conduct a mock lynching of his archrival, Jay-Z, during his performance at the station's Summer Jam concert, officials said. He stormed off stage and asked to speak on the air at Power 105 about problems at Hot 97. Ms. Saunders obliged, officials said. During the show, he accused Mr. Taylor and the station of charging artists and labels to have their records played in heavy rotation, among other things. Ever since, there has been a rift between Mr. Taylor and Ms. Saunders, officials said.

''This unfortunately fits into the already existing negative connotation and image that hip-hop seems to portray,'' Ms. Gizaw said of the alleged assault on Ms. Saunders, who declined to comment. ''Stephanie is vivacious, fun-loving and family oriented. That comes through on the air.''

Tracy Cloherty, vice president of programming for Hot 97, said yesterday that the charges against Mr. Taylor were untrue and that he was not a violent person. She also denied that he had been arrested. Ms. Cloherty said that Ms. Saunders was dismissed from Hot 97 a year and a half ago and that many staff members had seen her lingering around the building at all hours. She said that the station was seeking an order of protection ''so that Ms. Saunders will keep away from our offices and staff.''

Ms. Gizaw scoffed at the accusations against Ms. Saunders.

The conflict between the two stations has become increasingly personal. Power 105 hired Ed Lover (James Roberts), Doctor Dre (Andre Brown) and Lisa G.(Lisa Glasberg) and put them against WQHT's Star (Troi Torain) and Buc Wild (Timothy Joseph), who have the No. 1-rated morning drive show among the 18 to 34 age group.

Star used to write for Ed Lover at Hot 97. Ms. Saunders was hired in 1999 to work with Ed Lover and Doctor Dre, but waslater shifted to nightsafter those two left to work in Los Angeles, Ms. Gizaw said.

Power 105 has leaped to 6th place from 13th in ratings in the New York market in the last several months. Hot 97 has dropped to third place from second.

Correction: September 26, 2002, Thursday An article yesterday about a hip-hop disc jockey's complaint that she was assaulted by a disc jockey at a rival radio station gave a misspelled surname in some copies for the complainant's spokeswoman. She is Getty Gizaw, not Gizow.